Core B: Neuroimaging Core

Project Summary – Neuroimaging Core – Core B The Neuroimaging Core will provide UC Davis CounterACT Center investigators with outstanding resources in the rapidly evolving field of neuroimaging technologies, for which there is strong demand by all three scientific Projects. Neuroimaging tools provide one of the best modern means for examining the pathophysiology of disorders that affect the brain. Center investigators have previously shown the benefits of neuroimaging technologies for evaluating the short- and long-term consequences of acute organophosphate intoxication on the brain and identifying effective therapeutic strategies that mitigate the resulting neuropathology. The Neuroimaging Core will capitalize on these previous successes and provide state-of-the-art equipment for neuroimaging spanning microscopic to whole brain in vivo imaging, and dedicated expertise in image acquisition, analysis and the development and validation of imaging biomarkers to support the scientific Projects. The neuroimaging resources provided will include modalities focused on structural neuroimaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT), functional and molecular imaging, such as MRI and positron emission tomography (PET), and correlative cellular high-content brightfield and fluorescence tissue imaging. Oversight and management of the Neuroimaging Core will be provided by Core Lead, Abhijit Chaudhari, PhD, Professor of Radiology and the Director of the UC Davis Center for Molecular and Genomic Imaging (CMGI), with over 15 years of experience in animal and human imaging with various imaging modalities, quantitative imaging science, imaging biomarker design and validation and medical image processing; and Core Co-Lead, Brad Hobson, PhD, Research Scientist at the CMGI, who has extensive training in neurotoxicology, pharmacology and the validation of ex vivo and in vivo neuroimaging methods in the context of organophosphate exposure. The objectives of the Neuroimaging Core are to: (1) provide Center investigators with access to a wide array of neuroimaging technologies ranging from cellular imaging to macroscopic in vivo structural, functional, and molecular imaging in pursuit of the scientific aims of the Projects; (2) develop and deploy advanced imaging technologies that will enhance Center investigators’ research endeavors.; and (3) contribute to the research education mission of the Center by providing virtual and hands-on training in the utilization of imaging methods, data acquisition, and image analysis. By providing neuroimaging expertise, the Core will ensure that imaging studies by the UC Davis Center investigators are designed, implemented, and analyzed rigorously to ensure transparency, reproducibility and future translatability to humans.